Wild Dogs of the North
Learn about wolves, coyotes, and red foxes of Alaska!
Scroll through the gallery to learn about these wild dogs of the north!
Red Foxes are found throughout Alaska, except for some of the islands of Southeast Alaska and the western Aleutians and are rare in Prince William Sound.
- Lifespan: 3 years
- Weight: 6–15 lbs
- Body Length: 22–32”
- Tail Length: 14–16”
Information by ADF&G.
The Red Fox is recognized by its reddish coat, white- tipped tail, and black “stockings,” although the species does have many color variations including yellowish, red, brown, silver, and black.
Red Foxes displaying a distinct color pattern are referred by the name of that phase (i.e., red, cross, silver, black).
Photo by Bud Marschner, Red Fox.
Photo by Mike Taras, Silver Fox.
Information by ADF&G.
The males, or “dogs,” are usually heavier than the females, or “vixens.
Red Foxes breed once per year and females give birth to litters ranging from 1–10 pups.
Red Foxes are omnivores that eat muskrats, squirrels, hares, birds, eggs, insects, vegetation, carrion, voles.
Wolves, coyotes, eagles, bears, mountain lions, lynx, and humans have all been known to hunt red foxes.
Photo and information by ADF&G.
Red Fox v. Arctic Fox
The fox prefers broken country, extensive lowland marshes, and crisscrossed hills and draws. It is also present in tundra regions, which it shares with the Arctic Fox. Where the ranges of the two species overlap, the Red Fox is dominant. In these areas, Red Foxes have been observed digging Arctic Foxes from their dens and killing them.
Map by Canadian Geographic.
Photo by Neal Herbert, NPS.
Information from ADF&G.
Alaska is home to an estimated 7,000 - 11,000 wolves. Wolves have never been threatened or endangered in Alaska.
Most adult male wolves in Interior Alaska weigh 85-115 lbs, but they occasionally reach 145 lbs. Females average 10-15 lbs lighter than males. Wolves reach adult size by about 1 year old.
They have a lifespan of 13 years.
Information by ADF&G.
Wolves in Southeast Alaska tend to be darker and smaller than those in the Interior. Pelt colors of wolves in Alaska range from black, gray, tan, and white; with gray and black being the most common.
Wolves are highly social animals and live in packs. Packs ranges from 6 - 7 animals but can be as many as 20 - 30 wolves. The average territory of a pack ranges around 500 - 600 square miles.
Wolves do use a range of vocalizations (howl, whine, bark, etc.) to "talk" to one another and express themselves. Much of how they communicate is done through body language and even the chemistry of scent.
Photo by Gary Kramer, USFWS.
Information from ADF&G.
Wolves are carnivores that eat mainly caribou and moose on mainland Alaska. They can eat voles, ground squirrels, snowshoe hares, beaver, birds, fish, deer, mountain goats, Dall sheep.
Wolves normally breed in February and March, and litters ranging about 4 - 7 pups are born in May or early June.
Most adult wolves center their May and June activities around dens while traveling as far as 20 miles away in search of food.
Photo by Craig Dorman.
Map by NPS.
Information from ADF&G.
In Alaska, predation by other wolves and hunting and trapping are the major sources of mortality, although diseases, malnutrition, and accidents also act to regulate wolf numbers.
Because of competition, coyotes are absent or scarce where wolves are abundant, and foxes are similarly less abundant where coyotes are numerous.
Photo by Jim and Jaimie Dutcher.
Information by ADF&G.
Coyotes are found throughout Southeastern Alaska and much of the Interior; there are few records of them north of the Yukon River. The highest densities are in the Kenai Peninsula, the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys and the Copper River Valley.
Coyotes were first noted in the state shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Populations were first reported on the mainland of Southeast Alaska and then slowly expanded northward into the upper Tanana Valley from which they radiated in all directions.
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Body Length: 4 feet, including the tail.
- Height: 2 feet tall at the shoulder.
- Weight: 22-33 lbs or about 1/3 the size of wolves.
Information from ADF&G.
Coyotes summer coats are gray, tan along the belly, lower legs, muzzle, and ears. The tail is tipped with black. The intensity and amount of coloring varies, with individuals being lighter in winter.
Coyotes are opportunistic carnivores that eat moose, caribou, snowshoe hares, voles, marmots, ground squirrels, muskrats, fish, insects, Dall sheep.
Coyotes are quick to respond to increases or decreases in prey. They have fewer pups when food is scarce, or they can have large litters when hares are abundant. The average litter size is 5-7 pups.
Photo by NPS.
Information by ADF&G.
Coyotes are generally less social than wolves, but the adult female and male pair is the basic social unit that maintains a territory and may remain together for several years.
The coyote is considered the most vocal of the canids and called the “song dog.” The howl of the coyote has a ventriloquistic effect, and it has often been reported that the howling of 2-3 coyotes sounds like a dozen or more animals.
Photo by the Denali Education Center.
Map by James W. Hayes.
Information by ADF&G.
